Book excerpt: Set against the vividly described Prairies in the heart of a cloistered religious sect, this is a gripping novel from a beloved Canadian author. Fifteen-year-old Jim Hobbs, alienated from life in Toronto, hitchhikes to the Prairies on a whim, where he finds shelter in an abandoned farmhouse. There, he encounters his neighbours, members of Majestic Farm, a group that abides by an old-fashioned, ultra-conservative set of rules enforced by their ruthless pastor. When Miriam, one of the pastor’s daughters, secretly befriends Jim, they must hide their blossoming love for one another — or face terrifying consequences. In helping Miriam to escape her religious imprisonment on the farm, Jim must risk everything.